Bathroom monitoring system

Abstract

To provide a bathroom monitoring system which is less susceptible to malfunctioning and is capable of detecting movement of a bather in and out of a bathtub using a simple configuration.SOLUTION: Propagation failure of a projected detection wave L1 is detected by bathtub-side detection means 10 installed on bathroom walls 4a, 4b above a bathtub 3. Propagation failure of a projected detection wave L2 is detected by washing area-side detection means installed on the bathroom walls on the washing area 2 side of the bathtub-side detection means 10 and near a washing area-side frame 3a of the bathtub 3. A determination unit 31 determines movement of a bather A in and out of the bathtub on the basis of a combination of detection information regarding the presence or absence of propagation failure obtained by the bathtub-side detection means 10 and washing area-side detection means 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for monitoring a bather in a bathroom, and particularly to a bathroom monitoring system for monitoring entry into and exit from a bathtub.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, the proportion of accidental deaths in the home that occur by drowning in a bathtub is high. In a caregiving setting, a caregiver often monitors the care recipient while they are bathing, but human monitoring is limited both in terms of time and labor. Therefore, systems for monitoring a care recipient while they are bathing using sensors and the like have been intensively studied. In this type of system, first, it is important to detect when a bather enters and exits the bathtub.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, a system has been proposed that uses a human presence sensor composed of a pyroelectric infrared sensor to detect the presence or absence of a person in a bathroom and utilizes it for makeup water control. In Patent Document 2, a system for determining the presence or absence of a bather in a bathtub based on changes in the water level in the bathtub discloses a system for determining the presence or absence of a bather based on the difference in water level changes during makeup water replenishment.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] A human presence sensor composed of an infrared pyroelectric sensor is sensitive to infrared rays emitted from the human body and other warm objects. Therefore, the detection accuracy decreases when the temperature in the bathroom is high, and there is a risk of false detection due to the influence of steam or showers. Also, when determining the entry and exit of a bather based on the change in the water level of the bathtub, there is a risk of detection failure because the water level remains full when the bather enters the tub in a full water state. When determining the presence or absence of a bather based on the difference in the water level change during hot water replenishment, it is necessary to link the sensor with the water heater, and in some cases, the water heater must be changed to a dedicated one when retrofitting, resulting in high costs. In view of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a bathroom monitoring system that can detect the entry and exit of a bather with a low risk of malfunction and a simple configuration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, the present invention is a system for monitoring a bather in a bathroom, comprising: a bathtub-side detection means disposed on a bathroom wall portion above the bathtub for detecting an obstacle to the propagation of a projected detection wave; a washroom-side detection means disposed on the bathroom wall portion closer to the washroom side of the bathtub than the bathtub-side detection means and near the washroom-side frame of the bathtub for detecting an obstacle to the propagation of a projected detection wave; a determination unit that determines the entry and exit of a bather based on a combination of detection information on the presence or absence of an obstacle to propagation respectively obtained by the bathtub-side detection means and the washroom-side detection means. It is characterized by comprising the above.

[0007] When a bather or the like exists on the propagation axis of the detection wave of each detection means, an obstacle to the propagation of the detection wave is detected. When there is no shielding body such as a bather on the propagation axis, an obstacle to the propagation of the detection wave is not detected. Since it detects the presence or absence of an obstacle to the propagation of the detection wave, the influence of steam, temperature, etc. is smaller than when an infrared pyroelectric sensor is used as the detection means, and the risk of malfunction is small. Moreover, by arranging the washing area side detection means near the bathroom wall part on the washing area side frame of the bathtub, the bather during the bathtub entry / exit operation crosses the propagation axis of the detection wave of the washing area side detection means. Therefore, according to the present bathroom monitoring system, the entry / exit operation of the bather can be detected with a simple configuration using the detection means for propagation obstacles of the detection wave. The detection wave is preferably an optical wave (detection light), more preferably infrared light. The bathtub side detection means preferably includes an infrared blocking type sensor that projects infrared light and detects whether it is blocked. The washing area side detection means preferably includes an infrared blocking type sensor that projects infrared light and detects whether it is blocked. The detection of the presence or absence of propagation obstacles may include, in addition to the detection of the presence or absence of blocking of the detection wave such as detection light, detecting the degree of attenuation of the detection wave and determining whether the degree of attenuation is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Attenuation includes a decrease in light quantity, shielding, absorption, scattering, reflection, etc.

[0008] Preferably, when the bathtub side detection means continuously detects a propagation obstacle for a predetermined time of several seconds or more, the determination unit determines that the bather has entered the bathtub. When the bather enters the bathtub, the propagation axis of the detection wave of the bathtub side detection means is blocked by the bather, and a propagation obstacle is detected by the bathtub side detection means. Accordingly, the determination unit can determine that the bather has entered the bathtub. Instead of immediately determining that the bather has entered the bathtub when the detection of the propagation obstacle by the bathtub side detection means starts, false detection can be prevented by determining whether the detection of the propagation obstacle continues for a predetermined time of several seconds or more (preferably 10 seconds or more). When the washing area side detection means detects a propagation obstacle and then the bathtub side detection means continuously detects a propagation obstacle for a predetermined time of several seconds or less (preferably about 0.5 seconds to 2 seconds), the determination unit may determine that the bather has entered the bathtub. When a bather enters the bathtub from the washing area during the bathtub entry operation, a propagation failure is detected by the washing area side detection means because the propagation axis of the detection wave of the washing area side detection means is crossed by the bather in the bathtub entry direction. By arranging the washing area side detection means on the bathroom wall near the washing area side frame of the bathtub, the bathtub entry operation of the bather can be detected. When the bather enters the bathtub, the propagation axis of the detection wave of the bathtub side detection means is blocked by the bather, and a propagation failure is detected by the bathtub side detection means. Accordingly, the determination unit can make an entry determination.

[0009] Preferably, after the determination of the entry into the bathtub, when the washing area side detection means detects a propagation failure and then neither the bathtub side detection means nor the washing area side detection means detects a propagation failure, the determination unit determines that the bather has exited the bathtub. When a bather exits the bathtub and moves to the washing area during the bathtub exit operation, a propagation failure is detected by the washing area side detection means because the propagation axis of the washing area side detection means is crossed by the bather in the bathtub exit direction. By arranging the washing area side detection means on the bathroom wall near the washing area side frame of the bathtub, the probability of not being sensitive to the bathtub exit operation of the bather can be reduced. After the bather moves to the washing area, neither the bathtub side detection means nor the washing area side detection means detects a propagation failure. Accordingly, the determination unit can make an exit determination. By arranging the washing area side detection means on the bathroom wall near the washing area side frame of the bathtub, the washing area side detection means can be made to detect a propagation failure only when the bather enters and exits the bathtub, and the washing area side detection means can be made not to detect a propagation failure when the bather is in the washing area. Note that the pattern of the exit determination is not necessarily limited to the pattern in which immediately after the washing area side detection means detects a propagation failure, neither the bathtub side detection means nor the washing area side detection means detects a propagation failure, but also includes a pattern in which after the washing area side detection means detects a propagation failure, the bathtub side detection means detects a propagation failure, and then neither the bathtub side detection means nor the washing area side detection means detects a propagation failure. Also, when both the bathtub side detection means and the washroom side detection means stop detecting a propagation failure after the determination of entering the bathtub and before the determination of exiting the bathtub, if the washroom side detection means detects a propagation failure until, for example, about 3 seconds of drowning determination time has elapsed since that point, and then both the bathtub side detection means and the washroom side detection means stop detecting a propagation failure, the determination of exiting the bathtub is made.

[0010] Preferably, the bathroom monitoring system further includes safety confirmation means for performing a safety confirmation process including reporting when the bathtub side detection means continuously detects a propagation failure for a first predetermined time or more after the determination of entering the bathtub. Thereby, when a bather stays in the bathtub for a long time, safety confirmation can be performed. The first predetermined time is, for example, about 10 minutes.

[0011] Preferably, the bathtub side detection means includes a plurality of wave transmitting and receiving means arranged at intervals in the short side direction of the bathtub, and each wave transmitting and receiving means has a wave transmitting part for projecting the detection wave and a wave receiving part for receiving the detection wave facing the wave transmitting part in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub. Thereby, the detection range of the bathtub side detection means spreads in the short side direction of the bathtub, and a normal bather in the bathtub can be detected regardless of the physique of the bather, the posture and movement in the bathtub. Also, false determination of drowning can be prevented. The number of the wave transmitting and receiving means of the bathtub side detection means is preferably several to a dozen or so, more preferably about 8. The interval between adjacent wave transmitting and receiving means of the bathtub side detection means is set so as not to cause detection omission of a bather during bathing, preferably several cm to a dozen or so cm, more preferably about 5 cm.

[0012] Preferably, the bathroom monitoring system further includes safety confirmation means for performing a safety confirmation process including reporting when a propagation failure is detected in at least a part of the plurality of wave transmitting and receiving means in the bathtub side detection means and the presence or absence state of the detection of the propagation failure in each of the plurality of wave transmitting and receiving means continues for a second predetermined time or more after the determination of entering the bathtub. Accordingly, when the bather does not move for a long time in the bathtub, this can be detected to check the safety of the bather. The second predetermined time is, for example, about 5 minutes.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, there is little risk of malfunction, and the entry and exit of the bather can be detected with a simple configuration.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. <First Embodiment (Figs. 1 to 6)> Figs. 1 and 2 show a bathroom 1 in a house, a nursing facility, or the like. In the bathroom 1, a bathroom monitoring system 9 for watching over a bather A is provided. The bathroom monitoring system 9 includes two systems of detection means 10 and 20 and a processing device 30.

[0016] As shown in Figs. 3(a) and 3(b), two systems of detection means 10 and 20 are provided on a bathroom wall 4. As shown in Fig. 4, these detection means 10 and 20 are each constituted by a module of a detection light interruption type photoelectric sensor that detects interruption (propagation obstacle) of detection lights L1 and L2 (detection waves) projected (cast). The detection lights L1 and L2 are preferably infrared rays. Each detection means 10 and 20 is preferably constituted by a module of an infrared ray interruption type sensor.

[0017] Specifically, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, bathtub side detection means 10 are provided on upper bathroom wall portions 4a and 4b of a bathtub 3 in the bathroom 4. The bathtub side detection means 10 includes a plurality (here, eight) of light transmitting and receiving means 11 (light transmitting and receiving wave means), and a main unit unit 14 and a sub-unit unit 15 that house these light transmitting and receiving means 11. Each light transmitting and receiving means 11 has a light projecting portion 12 (light projecting wave portion) and a light receiving portion 13 (light receiving wave portion). As shown in Figs. 3(a) and 3(b), the light projecting portion 12 and the light receiving portion 13 are separately housed in the main unit unit 14 and the sub-unit unit 15. For each light transmitting and receiving means 11, the light projecting portion 12 is housed in either the main unit unit 14 or the sub-unit unit 15, and the light receiving portion 13 is housed in the other of the main unit unit 14 and the sub-unit unit 15.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the master unit 14 and the slave unit 15 are each formed in an elongated box shape extending along the short side direction (the left - right direction in FIG. 3) of the bathtub 3. As shown in FIG. 1, the master unit 14 and the slave unit 15 are arranged so as to face each other in the longitudinal direction (the up - down direction in FIG. 1) of the bathtub 3. Thereby, the light - emitting part 12 and the light - receiving part 13 of each light - emitting and light - receiving means 11 face each other horizontally straight in the longitudinal direction (up - down in FIG. 1) of the bathtub 3 with the bathtub 3 interposed therebetween in a plan - projection view. In addition, in FIGS. 3 and 4, for the convenience of drawing, in order to distinguish the light - emitting part 12 and the light - receiving part 13, the light - receiving part 13 is shown with a shaded pattern.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3(a), in the master unit 14, the light - emitting part 12 and the light - receiving part 13 are alternately arranged in the extending direction of the master unit 14 (the left - right direction in FIG. 3(a)). As shown in FIG. 3(b), in the slave unit 15, the light - receiving part 13 and the light - emitting part 12 are alternately arranged in the extending direction of the slave unit 15 (the left - right direction in FIG. 3(b)). Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a plurality (here, eight) of light - emitting and light - receiving means 11 are arranged at intervals in the short side direction (the left - right direction in FIG. 2) of the bathtub 3.

[0020] Note that the arrangement order of the light - emitting part 12 and the light - receiving part 13 in each unit 14, 15 does not necessarily have to be alternating and may be irregular. Only one of the light - emitting part 12 and the light - receiving part 13 may be accommodated in the master unit 14, and only the other of the light - emitting part 12 and the light - receiving part 13 may be accommodated in the slave unit 15.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the master unit 14 of the bathtub - side detection means 10 is arranged on the upper bathroom wall part 4a of the bathtub 3 on the side (the upper side in FIG. 1) of the bathroom wall 4 that faces, for example, the bathroom door 5. The slave unit 15 is arranged on the upper bathroom wall part 4b of the bathtub 3 on the side (the lower side in FIG. 1) of the bathroom wall 4, for example, on the bathroom - door 5 side.

[0022] Note that the master unit 14 may be provided on the bathroom wall portion 4b on the side of the bathroom door 5, and the slave unit 15 may be provided on the bathroom wall portion 4a on the side facing the bathroom door 5. Also, the bathroom door 5 may be provided on the washbasin side wall portion 4c that intersects the bathroom wall portions 4a and 4b. Each of the units 14 and 15 protrudes from the inner wall surface of the bathroom wall portions 4a and 4b, but may be embedded in the bathroom wall portions 4a and 4b, and the front surface of the units 14 and 15 and the inner wall surface of the bathroom wall portions 4a and 4b may be flush.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 4, an optical axis L11 (propagation axis) is formed so as to connect the light projecting portion 12 and the light receiving portion 13 of each light projecting and receiving means 11. The optical axis L11 extends in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub 3. The light projecting portion 12 projects the detection light L1 along the optical axis L11, and this is received by the light receiving portion 13. The projection frequency of the detection light L1 is, for example, several times to several hundred times (preferably about 10 times per 100 ms) per several tens of ms to several hundred ms. When preferably 80% to 90% of the detection light L1 is blocked and not received, the bathtub side detection means 10 acquires detection information of light blocking (propagation failure). The effective detection distance of each light projecting and receiving means 11 (the maximum separation distance between the light projecting portion 12 and the light receiving portion 13 capable of effectively detecting the transmission and blocking of the detection light L1) is preferably larger than the longitudinal size of the bathroom 1 (for example, about 1.6 meters to 2 meters). Thereby, it is possible to reduce the sensitivity degradation due to the bathroom environment such as water droplets, showers, steam, and temperature adhering to the light projecting and receiving means 21.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the height H from the upper end portion of the bathtub 3 to the bathtub side detection means 10 and thus to the optical axis L11 10 is set to a height at which a bather A taking a bath normally in the bathtub 3 can be detected regardless of the physique and posture, and preferably H 10 = several cm to several tens of cm, and more preferably H 10 = about 150 mm.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 4, a plurality (here, eight) of optical axes L11 of the plurality of light transmitting and receiving means 11 are formed in parallel at intervals in the short side direction of the bathtub 3. The arrangement interval of the light transmitting and receiving means 11, that is, the pitch P of the optical axes L11 11 is set to an interval at which at least one (preferably two) of the light transmitting and receiving means 11 can detect the bather A during normal bathing in the bathtub 3 regardless of the build, posture, and position of the bather A. Preferably, P 11 = several cm to a dozen or so cm, and more preferably P 11 = about 50 mm. By setting the pitch of the optical axes L11 to be equal to or less than the head width of the small-sized bather A2 (the smallest adult human body), for example, the head of the bather A during bathing can be monitored at two or more points.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 3(a), further, the master unit 14 is provided with a response switch 16 and a stop switch 17. The response switch 16 is a switch for the bather A to respond to the alarm of the safety confirmation from the bathroom monitoring system 9.

[0027] The stop switch 17 is a switch for stopping the monitoring function such as the safety confirmation of the bathroom monitoring system 9. For example, when cleaning the bathroom 1 or when a person who does not need to be monitored takes a bath, by pressing the stop switch 17, the alarm by the system 9 can be stopped. Preferably, by providing the response switch 16 and the stop switch 17 separately, the misoperation of the switches can be prevented.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 2, more preferably, the response switch 16 is arranged at the end on the side opposite to the washing area 2 side (the left side in Fig. 2) of the master unit 14. Thereby, the response switch 16 can be arranged in front of the bather A during bathing. The stop switch 17 is arranged at the end on the washing area 2 side (the right side in Fig. 2) of the master unit 14. Thereby, it is easy for a person to press during cleaning or when a person who does not need to be monitored takes a bath. As shown in Fig. 3(b), the slave unit 15 is not provided with these switches 16 and 17.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, on the bathroom wall portions 4a and 4b on the side of the washbasin 2 (the right side in FIG. 1) from the bathtub side detection means 10, the washbasin side detection means 20 is arranged. The washbasin side detection means 20 is a sensor unit that detects whether the projected detection light is blocked, and includes a plurality of light projecting and receiving means 21 (light projecting and receiving wave means), a main unit unit 24 that houses these light projecting and receiving means 21, and a slave unit unit 25. Preferably, the number of the light projecting and receiving means 21 is less than the number of the light projecting and receiving means 11 of the bathtub side detection means 10, and is, for example, two.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 4, each light projecting and receiving means 21 has a light projecting portion 22 (light projecting wave portion) and a light receiving portion 23 (light receiving wave portion). As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the light projecting portion 22 and the light receiving portion 23 are separately housed in the main unit unit 24 and the slave unit unit 25. For each light projecting and receiving means 21, the light projecting portion 22 is housed in either the main unit unit 24 or the slave unit unit 25, and the light receiving portion 12 is housed in the other of the main unit unit 24 and the slave unit unit 25.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the main unit unit 24 and the slave unit unit 25 are each formed in a rectangular box shape. As shown in FIG. 3(a), the main unit unit 24 is arranged on the bathroom wall portion 4a on the same side as the main unit unit 14 of the bathtub side detection means 10, on the side of the washbasin 2 (the right side in FIG. 3(a)) from the main unit unit 14. Further, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the slave unit unit 25 is arranged on the bathroom wall portion 4b on the same side as the slave unit unit 15 of the bathtub side detection means 10, on the side of the washbasin 2 (the left side in FIG. 3(b)) from the slave unit unit 15. The light projecting portions 22 and the light receiving portions 23 of the two light projecting and receiving means 21 are housed side by side in each unit 24, 25. Note that only one of the light projecting portion 22 and the light receiving portion 23 may be housed in the main unit unit 24, and only the other of the light projecting portion 22 and the light receiving portion 23 may be housed in the slave unit unit 25.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the master unit 24 and the slave unit 25 are arranged to face each other in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub 3 (the vertical direction in FIG. 1). As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the light projecting portion 22 and the light receiving portion 23 of each light projecting and receiving means 21 face straight and horizontally in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub 3 (vertical in FIG. 4). In FIGS. 3 and 4, for the convenience of drawing, in order to distinguish the light projecting portion 22 and the light receiving portion 23, the light receiving portion 23 is illustrated with a shaded pattern.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, an optical axis L21 (propagation axis) is formed so as to connect the light projecting portion 22 and the light receiving portion 23 of each light projecting and receiving means 21. The optical axis L21 extends in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub 3. The light projecting portion 22 projects the detection light L2 along the optical axis L21, and this is received by the light receiving portion 23. The projection frequency of the detection light L2 is, for example, several times to several hundred times (preferably about 10 times per 100 ms) per several tens of ms to several hundred ms. When preferably 80% to 90% of the detection light L2 is blocked and not received, the washing place side detection means 20 acquires detection information of light blocking (propagation failure). The effective detection distance of each light projecting and receiving means 21 (the maximum separation distance between the light projecting portion 22 and the light receiving portion 23 capable of effectively detecting the transmission and blocking of the detection light L2) is preferably larger than the longitudinal size of the bathroom 1 (for example, about 1.6 meters to 2 meters). Thereby, it is possible to reduce the sensitivity degradation due to the bathroom environment such as water droplets, showers, steam, and temperature adhering to the light projecting and receiving means 21.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, two (a plurality of) light projecting and receiving means 21 are arranged at intervals in the short side direction of the bathtub 3 (the left and right direction in FIG. 1). As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, two (a plurality of) optical axes L21 are formed in parallel at intervals in the short side direction of the bathtub 3. The arrangement interval of the light projecting and receiving means 21, that is, the interval P between the optical axes L21 21 is set to an interval capable of detecting the entry and exit operation of the bather A, and preferably P 21 = several cm to a dozen or so cm, and more preferably P 21 = about 50 mm.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, preferably, the light projection surface (projection surface) 22a of the light projection unit 22 of the washing area side detection means 20 is smaller than the light projection surface (projection surface) 12a of the light projection unit 12 of the bathtub side detection means 10. Thereby, the degree of freedom in the arrangement location of the washing area side detection means 10 can be increased. Also, unnecessary detection in the washing area 2 can be reduced.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, preferably, the units 24, 25 and thus the washing area side detection means 20 are arranged near the washing area side frame 3a of the bathtub 3 on the bathroom wall portions 4a, 4b. Thereby, interference with the bathroom door 5 can be avoided. As shown in FIG. 2, more preferably, the washing area side detection means 20 is arranged at a slightly higher position (about several cm to several tens of cm) than the bathtub side detection means 10. Note that the arrangement height of the washing area side detection means 20 is preferably set to a height at which the detection light L2 is not easily blocked even when the bather A in the bathtub 3 during bathing tilts the body toward the washing area 2 side or raises the arm, and more preferably, is set to a height at which the detection light L2 is not blocked by the auxiliary equipment 6 for getting in and out of the bathtub such as a grab bar or a transfer bench installed on the washing area side frame 3a. As shown in FIG. 1, the units 24, 25 of the washing area side detection means 20 overlap with the washing area side ends of the units 14, 15 of the bathtub side detection means 10 in a plan view.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, the units 24, 25 protrude from the inner wall surfaces of the bathroom wall portions 4a, 4b, but may be embedded in the bathroom wall portions 4a, 4b, and the front side surfaces of the units 24, 25 and the inner wall surfaces of the bathroom wall portions 4a, 4b may be flush.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4, the processing device 30 is constituted by a controller including a microcomputer (not shown), a communication circuit, a drive circuit, a power supply circuit, etc., and functions as a determination unit 31, a safety confirmation means 32, and a drowning countermeasure means 33. The determination unit 31 performs a bathtub entry determination, a bathtub exit determination, a long-term safety determination, a low activity safety determination, and a drowning safety determination based on the detection information by the detection means 10, 20. Note that the determination unit 31 may be incorporated in the detection means 10 and 20. The detection means 10 and 20 may have a determination function. The safety confirmation means 32 performs safety confirmation processing including the transmission of a safety confirmation inquiry etc. according to the safety determination of the determination unit 31. When the determination unit 31 determines that the bather A in the bathtub 3 is in a drowning state, the drowning response means 33 performs drowning response processing such as the transmission of an alarm and draining water from the bathtub 3.

[0039] As illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 5, the bathroom monitoring system 9 operates as follows. Each of the detection means 10 and 20 constantly projects the detection lights L1 and L2 and detects the presence or absence of interruption (step 100). When there is no person such as the bather A or a bathing assistant (not shown) in the bathroom 1, or even when there is a person but they are washing their body in the wash area 2, not only the bathtub side detection means 10 but also the wash area side detection means 20 will have the detection light L2 projected from the light projecting unit 22 transmitted without being interrupted and received by the light receiving unit 23. Therefore, detection of detection light transmission is detected in any of the detection means 10 and 20, and detection of detection light interruption is not detected.

[0040] In the detection means 10 and 20 of the detection light interruption type, when a shielding body such as a bather exists on the optical axes L11 and L21, detection of detection light interruption is detected. When there is no shielding body such as a bather on the optical axes L11 and L21, detection of detection light interruption is not detected. Therefore, the detection means 10 and 20 of the detection light interruption type have a low risk of malfunction due to steam, temperature, shower, etc.

[0041] Note that depending on the movement of the bather A or the bathing assistant when washing their body in the wash area 2, the detection light L2 of the wash area side detection means 20 may be interrupted, but subsequently, the detection light L1 of the bathtub side detection means 10 cannot be interrupted unless the bathtub entry operation described later is performed, so the bathtub entry determination will not be made.

[0042] <Bathtub entry determination> When bather A performs the operation of entering the bathtub 3, inevitably, bather A straddles over the upper part of the bathtub-side frame 3a of the washing area of the bathtub 3 from the washing area 2 side to the bathtub 3 side. At this time, bather A crosses the optical axis L21. As a result, the detection means 20 on the washing area side obtains detection information indicating that the detection light is blocked (step 101). By arranging the detection means 20 on the washing area side near the bathroom wall portions 4a and 4b of the bathtub-side frame 3a of the bathtub 3, it is possible to cross the optical axis L21 during the operation of bather A entering the bathtub, and it is possible to block the detection light L2. Further, if bather A crosses any one of the two (a plurality of) optical axes L21 of the detection means 20 on the washing area side, the detection means 20 on the washing area side can obtain detection information indicating that the detection light is blocked. As a result, the operation of entering the bathtub can be detected.

[0043] After the determination unit 31 obtains the detection information indicating that the detection light is blocked by the detection means 20 on the washing area side, the determination unit 31 checks whether the detection means 10 on the bathtub side detects that the detection light is blocked (step 102). Considering the time required to enter the bathtub from the washing area 2 to the bathtub 3, the determination unit 31 may check whether the detection means 10 on the bathtub side detects that the detection light is blocked after, for example, 10 seconds to 1 minute has elapsed since the detection means 20 on the washing area side detected that the detection light is blocked. As a result, it is possible to avoid determining that it is an operation of entering the bathtub due to a movement that is not an operation of entering the bathtub.

[0044] When bather A enters the bathtub 3, the detection light L1 of the detection means 10 on the bathtub side is blocked by bather A, and the detection means 10 on the bathtub side continuously obtains detection information indicating that the detection light is blocked. In response to this, the determination unit 31 determines that bather A has entered the bathtub (step 103). That is, when the detection means 10 on the bathtub side starts to detect that the detection light is blocked following the detection means 20 on the washing area side detecting that the detection light is blocked, the determination unit 31 determines that bather A has entered the bathtub. Preferably, when the detection means 10 on the bathtub side continuously detects that the detection light is blocked for a predetermined time of several seconds or less (preferably 0.5 seconds to 2 seconds, more preferably about 1 second), the determination unit 31 determines that bather A has entered the bathtub (is bathing). As a result, it is possible to prevent confusion with the operation of getting out of the bathtub. More preferably, if at least one of the eight (a plurality of) detection lights L1 of the detection means 10 on the bathtub side is blocked by bather A, it is determined that bather A has entered the bathtub. Note that, regardless of whether or not the detection light of the washroom side detection means 20 is blocked, when the detection light of the bathtub side detection means 10 is blocked continuously for a predetermined time of several seconds or more (for example, 10 seconds or more), the determination unit 31 may determine that a person has entered the bathtub (is taking a bath).

[0045] By arranging the bathtub side detection means 10 at a predetermined height H above the bathtub 3 10 it is possible to block the detection light L1 by the bather A in the bathtub 3 during normal times (when not drowning), and the bather A can be detected. Since the bathtub side detection means 10 has eight (a plurality of) optical axes L11 and the detection range extends over a wide range of the bathtub 3, regardless of the build of the bather A, their posture or movement in the bathtub, the bather A in the bathtub 3 during normal times (when not drowning) can be detected. This can avoid misjudging that the bather A is drowning while actually taking a normal bath.

[0046] After determining that a person has entered the bathtub, the determination unit 31 performs an out-of-bathtub determination and a safety determination. <Out-of-bathtub determination> Specifically, after determining that a person has entered the bathtub, the determination unit 31 checks whether or not the detection light of the washroom side detection means 20 is blocked (step 110). When the bather A performs an out-of-bathtub operation to get out of the bathtub 3, they inevitably straddle from the bathtub 3 side over the upper part of the washroom side frame 3a of the bathtub 3 to the washroom 2. At this time, since the bather A crosses the optical axis L21 of the washroom side detection means 20, detection information indicating that the detection light is blocked is obtained by the washroom side detection means 20. By arranging the washroom side detection means 20 on the bathroom wall portions 4a, 4b near the washroom side frame 3a of the bathtub 3, it is possible to cross the optical axis L21 during the out-of-bathtub operation of the bather A and block the detection light L2. Furthermore, if the bather A crosses any one of the two (a plurality of) optical axes L21 of the washroom side detection means 20, it is possible to obtain detection information indicating that the detection light is blocked by the washroom side detection means 20. Thus, the out-of-bathtub operation can be detected.

[0047] After detecting the blocking of the detection light by the washroom side detection means 20, the determination unit 31 checks whether or not the detection light is blocked by both detection means 10 and 20 (step 111). After bather A moves to the washing area 2, both the bathtub-side detection means 10 and the washing-area-side detection means 20 no longer detect the interruption of the detection light. In response to this, the determination unit 31 determines that the bather has exited the bathtub (step 112). That is, after determining that the bather has entered the bathtub, when the washing-area-side detection means 20 detects the interruption of the detection light and then both the bathtub-side detection means 10 and the washing-area-side detection means 20 no longer detect the interruption of the detection light, the determination unit 31 determines that the bather has exited the bathtub. The bathtub-side detection means 10 and the washing-area-side detection means 20 constitute the entry / exit detection means. Note that the pattern of determining exit from the bathtub is not necessarily limited to the pattern in which, immediately after the washing-area-side detection means 20 detects the interruption of the detection light, both the detection means 10 and 20 no longer detect the interruption of the detection light. Even when, after the washing-area-side detection means 20 detects the interruption of the detection light, the bathtub-side detection means 10 detects the interruption of the detection light and then both the detection means 10 and 20 no longer detect the interruption of the detection light, it is determined that the bather has exited the bathtub. Also, when, after determining that the bather has entered the bathtub and before determining that the bather has exited the bathtub, both the detection means 10 and 20 no longer detect the interruption of the detection light, and within, for example, about 3 seconds (drowning determination time) from that point, the washing-area-side detection means 20 detects the interruption of the detection light and then both the detection means 10 and 20 no longer detect the interruption of the detection light, it is determined that the bather has exited the bathtub.

[0048] On the other hand, if the detection light L2 of the washing-area-side detection means 20 is blocked by the actions of the bathing assistant or the bather himself / herself in the washing area 2 while bather A is still bathing in the bathtub 3, then, thereafter, the bathtub-side detection means 10 continues to obtain the detection information of the interruption of the detection light by the bather A in the bathtub 3. Therefore, the determination unit 31 does not determine that the bather has exited the bathtub. In short, the determination unit 31 preferably gives priority to the detection information from the bathtub-side detection means 10 among the detection means 10 and 20 for determination.

[0049] Since the detection means 20 on the washing area side is arranged at a higher position than the detection means 10 on the bathtub side, even when the bather A in the bathtub 3 is bathing in a posture biased toward the washing area 2 side in the bathtub 3, raising the arm, extending it toward the washing area 2 side, or tilting the body toward the washing area 2 side, etc., other than the action of getting out of the bathtub, the detection light L2 can be prevented from being blocked as much as possible. Also, even if the build of the bather A1 in the bathtub 3 is large, the detection light L2 can be prevented from being blocked. Further, even if an auxiliary device 6 for getting in and out of the bathtub such as a climbing handrail or a transfer table is installed on the washing area side frame 3a of the bathtub 3, the optical axis L21 can be prevented from interfering with the auxiliary device for getting in and out of the bathtub. Thereby, it is possible to prevent false determination. For example, it is possible to prevent misjudging that the bather A has gotten out of the bathtub when the bather A drowns from a bathing posture biased toward the washing area 2 side in the bathtub 3.

[0050] <Safety determination> After determining the entry into the bathtub, until the determination of getting out of the bathtub, the long bath safety determination 120, the little movement safety determination 130, and the drowning safety determination 140 are performed. The execution order of these safety determinations 120, 130, and 140 is not limited to the order shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 and can be arbitrarily set. A plurality of types of safety determinations 120, 130, and 140 may be performed simultaneously.

[0051] <Long bath safety determination> As shown in FIG. 6(a), in the long bath safety determination, it is determined whether or not the detection means 10 on the bathtub side has continuously detected the interruption of the detection light for a first predetermined time or more (step 121). The first predetermined time is, for example, less than 10 minutes to several tens of minutes, preferably about 10 minutes. During the long bath safety determination, even if the interruption state of one of the detection lights L1 of the detection means 10 on the bathtub side is interrupted, if another detection light L1 is interrupted at that time, it is assumed that the detection light interruption state continues for the entire detection means 10 on the bathtub side. Thereby, even if the bather A moves in the bathtub 3 and another detection light L1 is interrupted, the long bath safety determination continues.

[0052] When the determination unit 31 determines that the detection light blocking state of the bathtub-side detection means 10 has continued for a first predetermined time or longer, the safety confirmation means 32 issues a safety confirmation query (step 122). Thereby, when the bather A has been taking a bath for a long time, a safety confirmation can be performed.

[0053] Upon receiving the transmission, by the bather A pressing the response switch 16, it can be confirmed that there is no abnormality with the bather A. Instead of pressing the response switch 16, it may be decided to take a safety confirmation by the bather A's voice or the like. If, after the start of transmission of the safety confirmation for long baths, no pressing of the response switch 16 or the like has occurred even after a certain time has elapsed, the safety confirmation means 32 may issue an alarm or notify a relevant person with a message.

[0054] <Inactivity safety determination> As shown in Fig. 6(b), in the inactivity safety determination, when at least a part of the detection light L1 of the bathtub-side detection means 10 is blocked, it is determined whether or not the blocked state or non-blocked (transmitted) state of each of the eight (a plurality of) detection lights L1 has continued for a second predetermined time or longer (step 131). The fact that the blocked or transmitted state of each detection light L1 is constant without change means that the bather A in the bathtub 3 is in an inactive state (including a motionless state). The second predetermined time is, for example, several minutes to a dozen or so minutes, preferably about 5 minutes.

[0055] When the determination unit 31 determines that the blocked or transmitted state of each detection light L1 has continued for a second predetermined time or longer, the safety confirmation means 32 issues a safety confirmation query (step 132). Thereby, when the bather A is in an inactive state, a safety confirmation can be performed.

[0056] Upon receiving the transmission, by the bather A pressing the response switch 16, it can be confirmed that there is no abnormality with the bather A. Pressing the response switch 16 located at a position away from the body position in the normal bathing posture becomes one indicator that the health state of the bather A is safe. Instead of pressing the response switch 16, voice detection of bather A or movement detection of bather A by the bathtub side detection means 10 may be used to check the safety status. When a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of reporting the safety status during the inactive state, and there is no pressing of the response switch 16 or the like, the safety confirmation means 32 may issue an alarm or notify a relevant person with a message. Furthermore, the automatic on-off drain plug of the bathtub 3 may be opened to drain water from the bathtub 3.

[0057] <Drowning safety determination> As shown in FIG. 6(c), further, when the entry into the tub is detected by the entry / exit tub detection means 10, 20, the determination unit 31 (drowning determination unit) determines the presence or absence of drowning based on the detection information by the bathtub side detection means 10 until the exit from the tub is detected. Preferably, after the detection of the entry into the tub by the entry / exit tub detection means 10, 20, when the detection of the interruption of the detection light by the bathtub side detection means 10 and the interruption of the detection light by the washroom side detection means 20 are no longer detected while the exit from the tub is not detected, it is determined that the person has drowned.

[0058] Specifically, after the determination of entry into the tub by the determination unit 31, even though the exit from the tub is not detected, that is, even though the interruption of the detection light by the washroom side detection means 20 is not detected, when the interruption of the detection light by the bathtub side detection means 10 is no longer detected, there is a possibility that bather A has sunk into the hot water in bathtub 2. Preferably, the state where the interruption of the detection light by the bathtub side detection means 10 is no longer detected means that all eight (a plurality of) detection lights L1 are in the non-interrupted (transmitted) state.

[0059] More preferably, when the interruption of the detection light L1 by the bathtub side detection means 10, that is, the non-interrupted state of the detection light, continues for a certain drowning determination time after the detection of the entry into the tub by the entry / exit tub detection means 10, 20 and the exit from the tub is not detected, the determination unit 31 (drowning determination unit) determines that the person has drowned (step 141). The drowning determination time is about several seconds (for example, 3 seconds).

[0060] The height H from the upper end of the bathtub 3 to the bathtub side detection means 10 10 is preferably H10 = on the order of several cm to several tens of cm, more preferably H 10 = By setting it to about 150 mm, even for a large-sized bather A1 or a small-sized bather A2, and even in a relaxed bathing posture, during normal bathing (when not drowning), at least the head can block the detection light L1, and during drowning, the head can be positioned below the detection light L1, so that it is possible to determine whether the person is in a drowning state or not. Also, even when the amount of hot water is close to full and the nose and mouth are immersed in the hot water, it is possible to prevent misjudging as not drowning by the head blocking the detection light L1.

[0061] According to the determination of whether a person is drowning or not by the determination unit 31, the drowning countermeasure means 33 performs drowning countermeasure processes such as sounding an alarm and opening the automatic opening and closing drain plug of the bathtub 3 to drain water from the bathtub 3 (step 142). If the bather A presses the response switch 16 upon receiving the alarm, it can be confirmed that there is no abnormality with the bather A.

[0062] Thus, according to the bathroom monitoring system 9, with a simple configuration using two systems of detection means 10 and 20 that block detection light such as infrared rays, it is possible to detect whether the bather A enters and exits the bathtub 3 and whether the bather is drowning in the bathtub 3, and perform safety confirmation and the like. Also, the possibility of misjudgment due to shower, steam, etc. can be reduced. By using a single type or the same type of sensor, even if a malfunction occurs, the cause can be easily grasped and the repair can be facilitated. Since there is no need to monitor with a camera, the privacy of the bather A is not invaded. The bather A can take a bath with peace of mind alone, and the bathing assistant does not need to monitor, which also improves the work efficiency and reduces the burden in the nursing facility.

[0063] Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. Regarding the configurations that overlap with the previously described embodiments in the following embodiments, the same reference numerals will be given in the drawings and the description will be omitted. <Second Embodiment (Fig. 7)> As shown in FIG. 7, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the washing area side detection means 20 is arranged so as to be shifted to the washing area 2 side from a position directly above the washing area side frame 3a of the bathtub 3. Each unit 24, 25 of the washing area side detection means 20 does not overlap with each unit 14, 15 of the bathtub side detection means 10 in a plan view, and is arranged farther from the washing area 2 side than the units 14, 15.

[0064] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the master unit 14 of the bathtub side detection means 10 and the master unit 24 of the washing area side detection means 20 may be connected integrally to form a single unit. The slave unit 15 of the bathtub side detection means 10 and the slave unit 25 of the washing area side detection means 20 may be connected integrally to form a single unit. The number of light transmitting and receiving means 11 of the bathtub side detection means 10 is not limited to eight, and may be nine or more, seven or less, or even just one. The number of light transmitting and receiving means 21 of the washing area side detection means 20 is not limited to two, and may be just one, or three or more. The washing area side detection means 20 may be arranged at the same height as the bathtub side detection means 10. The washing area side detection means 20 may be arranged on the bathroom wall portion in the middle of the washing area 2. It may be determined whether the bather A enters or exits the bathtub based on the order in which the detection light L2 by a plurality (for example, two) of light transmitting and receiving means 21 arranged above the washing area side frame 3a of the bathtub 3 is sequentially blocked. The ones on the bathtub 3 side (the left side in FIG. 1) of these light transmitting and receiving means 21 may constitute the "bathtub side detection means", and the ones on the washing area 2 side (the right side in FIG. 1) may constitute the "washing area side detection means". The detection light (detection wave) is not limited to infrared rays, and may be light waves with wavelengths other than the infrared region such as visible light and ultraviolet rays. Further, the detection wave is not limited to light waves, and may be other electromagnetic waves or even ultrasonic waves.

Industrial Applicability

[0065] The present invention can be applied to a bathroom monitoring system for monitoring a care recipient in a bathroom of, for example, a house or a care facility.

Explanation of Signs

[0066] 1 Bathroom A Bather 2 Washbasin 3 Bathtub 3a Washbasin-side frame 4a, 4b Bathroom wall 9 Bathroom monitoring system 10 Bathtub-side detection means 11 Light transmitting and receiving means (wave transmitting and receiving means) L11 Optical axis (propagation axis) L1 Detection light (detection wave) 12 Light projecting unit (wave projecting unit) 12a Light projecting surface (projecting surface) 13 Light receiving unit (wave receiving unit) 16 Response switch 17 Stop switch 20 Washbasin-side detection means 21 Light transmitting and receiving means L21 Optical axis (propagation axis) L2 Detection light (detection wave) 22 Light projecting unit (wave projecting unit) 23 Light receiving unit (wave receiving unit) 22a Light projecting surface (projecting surface) 30 Processing device 31 Judgment unit 32 Safety confirmation means 33 Drowning response means

Claims

1. A system for monitoring a bather in a bathroom, comprising: a bathtub-side detection means disposed on a bathroom wall portion above the bathtub for detecting an obstacle to the propagation of a projected detection wave; a washbasin-side detection means disposed on the bathroom wall portion closer to the washbasin side than the bathtub-side detection means and near the washbasin-side frame of the bathtub for detecting an obstacle to the propagation of a projected detection wave; a determination unit that determines whether the bather enters or exits the bathtub based on a combination of detection information on the presence or absence of an obstacle to propagation respectively acquired by the bathtub-side detection means and the washbasin-side detection means. The bathroom monitoring system, characterized by comprising the above.

2. The bathroom monitoring system according to Claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines that the bather enters the bathtub when the bathtub-side detection means continuously detects an obstacle to propagation for a predetermined time of several seconds or more.

3. The bathroom monitoring system according to Claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines that the bather enters the bathtub when, following the washbasin-side detection means detecting an obstacle to propagation, the bathtub-side detection means continuously detects an obstacle to propagation for a predetermined time of several seconds or less.

4. The bathroom monitoring system according to Claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines that the bather exits the bathtub when, after the determination of entering the bathtub, the washbasin-side detection means detects an obstacle to propagation and then neither the bathtub-side detection means nor the washbasin-side detection means detects an obstacle to propagation.

5. The bathroom monitoring system according to Claim 1, further comprising a safety confirmation means for performing a safety confirmation process including sending a report when, after the determination of entering the bathtub, the bathtub-side detection means continuously detects an obstacle to propagation for a first predetermined time or more.

6. The bathroom monitoring system according to Claim 1, wherein the bathtub-side detection means includes a plurality of wave transmitting and receiving means arranged at intervals in the short side direction of the bathtub, and each wave transmitting and receiving means has a wave transmitting unit for projecting the detection wave and a wave receiving unit for receiving the detection wave facing the wave transmitting unit in the longitudinal direction of the bathtub.

7. The bathroom monitoring system according to Claim 6, further comprising a safety confirmation means for performing a safety confirmation process including sending a report when, after the determination of entering the bathtub, an obstacle to propagation is detected in at least a part of the plurality of wave transmitting and receiving means in the bathtub-side detection means and the presence or absence state of the detection of an obstacle to propagation in each of the plurality of wave transmitting and receiving means continues for a second predetermined time or more.

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